Thomas Myhre looks set to remain at the Stadium of Light for the remainder of the season after Mick McCarthy admitted the Norwegian's presence could now be crucial to Sunderland's promotion prospects.

A player who was told 18 months ago that he was free to leave has played a key role in helping the Wearsiders to the brink of the Coca-Cola Championship summit and, since replacing the injured Mart Poom, Myhre has kept five clean sheets in seven accomplished outings.

McCarthy has long stressed that the decision to transfer-list the experienced keeper was a reflection of the club's unstable financial position rather than a judgement of the player's talents.

And although Myhre, whose contract will expire next summer, is still facing an uncertain future, the Black Cats boss is hoping he will agree to at least remain in the North-East for the next six months.

"There's no way that I want him to go anywhere," said a manager who, having taken Ben Alnwick on the club's pre-season tour of the United States as back-up for Poom, had clearly planned for the present campaign without Myhre.

"His contract is up at the end of the season but, given the position we're in, we need strength in depth and I hope that he will be here until next summer. He has been fantastic since the outset in both his attitude and his performances and I have never had a single problem with him."

Although Poom, set to return to contention for next weekend's visit to Cardiff, is McCarthy's No 1 pick, it would be harsh to leave out Myhre given his recent performances and the Estonian acknowledged this week that he could struggle to win back his place.

Myhre's form will not have gone unnoticed in recent times and McCarthy's tough decision could have a major bearing on his immediate future. Should the Scandinavian find himself back on the bench, an offer to move on in January would be no surprise.

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that, should the Black Cats win promotion, Myhre will be offered a new contract. McCarthy said: "He is a fantastic keeper - they both are - and we are very lucky to have them. I am not sure that there are Premiership clubs who have two keepers with ability like we have got here."

Bob Murray has promised to do all he can to retain the players McCarthy wants - the Sunderland chairman has already opened talks with skipper Gary Breen - and, despite talk of interest from Everton in George McCartney, no sales are planned.

"I'm not going to sell anyone in the transfer window," he said.

But in Myhre's case, with the player able to negotiate a move in the New Year, there is nothing the club can do. Murray added: "His future is in his own hands, I can't do anything to alter that. If we were to go up, we would need two top quality keepers but we will have to wait and see."

McCarthy is presently content with his squad, having achieved his aim of having two players competing for each position. His latest signing - the former Stockport signing Andy Welsh - is set to make his first appearance at the Stadium of Light this afternoon but, despite Julio Arca's suspension for the visit of West Ham, he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

"He has been terrific," added McCarthy of a player with two reserve-team appearances under his belt. "He has had a fresh start by coming here and he could not have found a better place to come and work. He will be in the squad.

"I needed a left winger. Julio is first choice there without any question and, what was nice was that, when I told Andy Welsh that, he said: `Great, I can only improve from watching him and training with him every day'.

"That's a refreshing attitude. But he hasn't come here just to sit on the bench. He wants to play."